Basketball shot accuracy training system

ABSTRACT

A basketball training aid kit, including a support base having a flat bottom portion and a central annulus for receiving an pole, wherein a plurality of first apertures are formed through the central annulus, a goal assembly further including a generally hollow cylindrical member defining and endless sidewall and an open proximal end for receiving a pole, a plurality of support members extending from the endless sidewall, a plurality of second apertures formed through the endless sidewall, and a netted hoop operationally connected to the plurality of support members, and a plurality of fastening pins for insertion through the first and second apertures.

BACKGROUND

The game of basketball has not fundamentally changed since it's invention by Dr. James Naismith in 1891. Although the peach basket basketball goals of Dr. Naismith's day have given way to basketball goals incorporating engineered breakaway rims and materials engineered backboards, the objective of the game has remained fundamentally the same. Points are still awarded for shooting a basketball through the basketball goal or hoop.

It is axiomatic that a player using proper basketball shooting technique will successfully shoot a basketball through the basketball goal more frequently than will a player using inferior or poor technique. It is common knowledge that a basketball approaching the basket at a low or flat trajectory is less likely to successfully pass through the hoop than does a basketball approaching the basketball goal at a higher or more lofted trajectory. Thus, one component of proper basketball shooting technique is the ability to impart a properly lofted trajectory on the thrown basketball.

Several attempts have been made to develop a basketball training device which, through repetitive use, will assist a player in developing the muscle memory required to impart the desirable lofted trajectory on his or her basketball shots. Such devices include a second hoop positioned between the shooter and the basketball goal hoop, in an attempt to break the shot down into component parts. However, this device suffers from the drawback of redirecting the player's attention away from the goal, reinforcing bad form insofar as the player is trained to look elsewhere from where he is shooting.

Another basketball training device comprises a circular or elliptical member that is mounted to or above the basketball goal. The plane including the circular or elliptical member forms an acute angle with respect to the plane including the basketball goal. The object this device is to shoot the basketball such that it passes first through the acutely angled circular or elliptical member, and then through the horizontally oriented basketball goal. The acutely angled circular or elliptical member is positioned along the shooter's desired trajectory. Through repetitive use, such a basketball training device will assist a basketball shooter in developing the muscle memory required to impart the desirable lofted trajectory on his or her basketball shots. However, these kinds of devices possess the disadvantages that they must be positioned directly between the shooter and the basketball goal during use, so it must be repositioned each time the shooter wishes to change positions on the basketball court from which he or she is practicing.

Another basketball training device involves the use of a barrier over which a basketball shot must be lofted in order to pass through the basketball goal. Devices of this type typically include circular or a semi-circular member connectible to a backboard and having a radial dimension larger than the basketball goal. The plane including the semi-circular member is typically parallel to the plane including the basketball goal. While helpful, these types of devices inherently include the backboard, and thus encourage shots that bank the basketball off the backboard and into the goal. Also, the efficacy of such training devices is limited to players positioned more or less directly in front of the backboard. Still further, such devices require a backboard already present, such as in a gym or at a park.

Thus, there remains a need for an improved basketball shot training device that may be used in more universal locations and that is not limited to the requirement of a backboard. The present invention addresses this need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a first perspective view of a goal assembly according to one embodiment of the basketball training aid of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged partial perspective view of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a top plan view of FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of FIG. 1A as attached to a pole.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a base portion according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 as attached to a pole.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a return member according to the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of FIG. 2 with the return member of FIG. 4 engaged thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

FIGS. 1-5 relate to a first embodiment of the present novel technology, a basketball shot training system 10 including a base portion 15, a goal portion 20, an optional pole portion 23, a ball return guide portion 25, and an optional base guard portion 30.

The base portion 15 is typically a circular or oval member having a generally flat bottom portion 35 covered by a generally convex or raised top portion 40. An aperture 45 is formed in the top portion for receiving an elongated member. The aperture 45 is typically located near the center or middle of the top portion 40. Typically, an annulus or hollow cylindrical tube 50 extends from the aperture 45 for securely receiving and supporting an elongated member, such as a pole. An annular adapter insert or ring 55 may be provided to reduce the effective inner diameter of the cylindrical tube 50 or aperture 45, wherein the ring 55 has an outer diameter sized to fit within the tube 50 or aperture 45 with a smaller inner diameter. The cylindrical tube 50 typically includes one or more apertures 65 formed therethrough for receiving locking members 60 that may be inserted to hold an elongated member extending through the aperture 45 and/or tube 50 in place. Typically, the apertures 65 and locking members 60 are matably threaded. In some embodiments, one or more wheels 70 may be operationally connected to the top portion 40 and angled such that the wheels engage the ground when the top portion 40 is tilted toward the wheels 70.

The base portion 15 is typically made of a structural material, such as aluminum, steel, composite material, or plastic. The bottom portion 35 typically includes a resilient or pliable layer 73, such as a rubber pad or footing. The bottom portion 35 typically is sized to cover sufficient surface area to stabilize the system when in use (i.e., against the impact of basketballs thrown at the rim 100), more typically at least about 0.6 m², and still more typically at least about 0.75 m². The base portion 15 is typically generally circular or oval, but may take other convenient shapes.

The goal portion 20 further includes a generally hollow cylindrical portion 80 having an open proximal end 81 and a distal end 83 with an endless sidewall 84 extending therebetween and one or more (typically threaded) apertures 85 formed through the sidewall 84. One or more (typically matably threaded) locking members 90 extend through respective apertures 85 to engage an elongated member, such as a pole, extending into the cylindrical portion 80 through the proximal end 81. A plurality of support members or struts 95 extend from the sidewall 84 past the distal end and engage an annular ring portion 100. The support members 95 are typically connected at equidistant points around the cylinder portion 80 and ring portion 100. A net 105 is connected to the ring portion 100 to define a basketball goal or hoop. Typically, a cap portion 110 engages the distal end 83 to provide an additional barrier through to prevent further travel of an inserted pole or elongated member. The goal portion (excepting the net 105) is typically formed from one or more structural materials, such as steel, aluminum, composite materials, (fiber reinforced) graphite composite, cermets, or the like.

The system further includes an elongated member or pole 23 having a proximal end 115 for engaging the base portion 15 and a distal end 120 for engaging the goal portion 20. Typically, the pole portion 23 is cylindrical and more typically the pole portion 23 is hollow with a plurality of apertures 125 formed therethrough. In some embodiments, the pole portion includes a top portion 130 and a bottom portion 135 wherein one portion 130, 135 is hollow with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the other portion 135, 130, such that one portion 135, 130 may slide into the other portion 130, 135. The pole member is typically formed of a structural material, such as aluminum or steel.

Some embodiments of the system 10 include a ball return or guide portion 25 having a proximal end 150, a distal end 160 and a curved trough body member 165 extending therebetween. The proximal end 150 includes connecting members 170 for engaging the ring 100. The guide portion 25 is typically formed of a lightweight, semi-flexible material such as plastic, composite material, or the like.

In some embodiments, a base guard or skirt portion 30 is included. The base guard 30 is typically a layer 180 of soft, resilient padding material sized and shaped to cover the base portion 15. Typically, the padding layer 180 is several inches thick and more typically includes a radial slit 185 extending from its outer perimeter 187 to a central aperture 190. The central aperture 190 is typically sized to allow passage of the pole 23 therethrough. Optionally, a generally rectangular elongated padding portion 195 may be provided to encircle the base portion 15, wherein the elongated portion 195 typically includes connectors 200, such as hook and loop portions, for forming the elongated rectangular portion 195 into a ring or loop as well as for connecting the elongated rectangular portion 195 to the padding layer 180.

In operation, the pole member 23 is inserted into the aperture 45, typically through annulus 50, and locking members 60 are (typically threadedly) inserted through apertures 65 to secure pole member 23 to base portion 15. Goal portion 20 is connected to pole member 23 by inserting distal end 120 into proximal end 81 and securing the pole member 23 in place by inserting locking members 90 through apertures 85 to engage pole member 23. Return portion 25 may be operationally connected to goal portion 20 by engaging connectors 170 to annular ring 100, and extending the curved trough portion 165 over cap 110 and/or distal end 83 and away from the net 105. Base guard portion 30 may be engaged over base portion 15 by moving pole member 23 through slit 185 until pole member 23 extends through aperture 190 and padded cover portion 180 generally overlaps top portion 40. Generally rectangular member may be extended around base portion 15 and fastened together and/or to padded cover portion 180 via connectors 200.

In one embodiment, base portion 15 and goal portion 20 are provided together as a kit. The kit typically includes guard portion 30, and may also include the return portion 25 and/or pole portion 23.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

I claim:
 1. A kit for assembling a basketball shot training system, comprising: a generally circular support base portion having a flat bottom portion with a surface area of at least about 0.75 m² and having a central aperture for connection to an elongated pole member, wherein a first cylindrical member is connected to the base portion and extends from the central aperture for receiving an elongated pole member; a goal member having a second cylindrical member with an open proximal end for receiving a pole member and a capped distal end, an annular ring portion, a plurality of support members extending from the second cylindrical member to the annular ring portion, and a net portion operationally connected to the annular ring portion; and a plurality of threaded fastener members; wherein the first and second cylindrical portions each include a plurality of threaded apertures extending therethrough for engaging the threaded fastener members.
 2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a generally cylindrical pole member having a pole distal end and a pole proximal end; wherein the pole distal end is sized by received by the open proximal end; and wherein the pole proximal end is sized to be received by the central aperture.
 3. The kit of claim 1 and further comprising a return portion, wherein the return portion has a first end having connection members for attaching the return portion to the annular ring portion.
 4. The kit of claim 1 and further comprising a slitted padded guard portion sized to cover the base portion.
 5. A basketball training assembly kit, comprising: a support base further comprising a flat bottom member; a top member connected thereto; and a central annulus extending from the top member for receiving an elongated member; a goal member further comprising a generally hollow cylindrical member defining an open proximal end for receiving an elongated member, a capped distal end, and an endless sidewall extending therebetween; an annular ring portion; a plurality of support members extending from the endless sidewall to the annular ring portion; and a net portion operationally connected to the annular ring portion; an elongated member having a proximal end sized to engage the central annulus and an oppositely disposed distal end sized to engage the open proximal end of the generally hollow cylindrical member; a slitted padded skirt sized to cover the base portion and having a central hole sized to accommodate extension of the elongated member therethrough; a generally trough-shaped return member having a first end defining at least one connection member for attaching the return portion to the annular ring portion; and a plurality of fastener members; wherein the central annulus and the endless sidewall each include a plurality of fastening apertures extending therethrough for engaging the fastener members.
 6. The kit of claim 5 wherein the elongated member is a telescoping pole.
 7. The kit of claim 5 wherein each respective fastening member is at least partially threaded and wherein each respective fastening aperture is threaded to matably engage a respective fastening member.
 8. The kit of claim 5 and further comprising an adaptor ring for insertion into the central annulus.
 9. The kit of claim 5 wherein the flat bottom member has a surface area of at least about 0.6 m².
 10. The kit of claim 5 wherein the flat bottom member has a surface area of at least about 0.75 m².
 11. A basketball training aid kit, comprising: a support base having a flat bottom portion and a central annulus for receiving an pole, wherein a plurality of first apertures are formed through the central annulus; a goal assembly further comprising a generally hollow cylindrical member defining and endless sidewall and an open proximal end for receiving a pole; a plurality of support members extending from the endless sidewall; a plurality of second apertures formed through the endless sidewall; and a netted hoop operationally connected to the plurality of support members; and a plurality of fastening pins for insertion through the first and second apertures.
 12. The kit of claim 11 and further comprising a slitted pad sized to cover the base portion, wherein the slitted pad includes a central hole for the pole.
 13. The kit of claim 11 and further comprising a return member having a first end and at least one connection member extending from the first end for engaging the netted hoop.
 14. The kit of claim 11 and further comprising a pole.
 15. The kit of claim 11 and further comprising an adaptor ring for insertion into the central annulus.
 16. The kit of claim 11 wherein the flat bottom portion has a surface area of at least about 0.6 m².
 17. The kit of claim 11 wherein the flat bottom portion has a surface area of at least about 0.75 m². 